The Consejo Regulador Jerez-Xérès-Sherry and Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda, has announced the retirement of its Sherry Wines UK director, Graham Hines.

Consejo Regulador president Beltrán Domecq, praised Hines, who is a well known and much liked figure in the UK wine trade, for his contribution in a challenging market.

Domecq said: "It has been a turn-around time for sherry in the UK over the past eight years and we have been very fortunate to have someone of Graham’s standing in the industry to preside over such an important period in our history.”

He continued: “Under Graham’s guidance, we have achieved a stronger position from which to build in our most significant export market. And this includes, most notably, a record number of importers and bodegas represented, with a strong and growing presence for many of the lesser known styles of Sherry.”

Sherry Wines UK also announced that, after working alongside Hines for seven years, Angeline Bayly, managing director at specialist wine marketing agency Bespoke Drinks Media, will take over managing all Sherry Wines activity in the UK with immediate effect.

The UK remains the single most important export market for sherry, where it has been increasing its activity in recent years, notably with its annual, Great Sherry Tasting, Sherry Festival, and International Sherry Week.